Asimov book reveals he died from AIDS By JAM! Books A forthcoming posthumous autobiography of Isaac Asimov reveals that the science fiction legend's death 10 years ago was due to AIDS, according to the New York Post. Asimov, whose works include quot;I, Robot,quot; reveals in quot;It's Been A Good Lifequot; that he contracted the disease via tainted blood while undergoing a 1983 heart bypass operation. The Post said Asimov's wife, Jane, compiled the new book from essays and notes her husband left behind when he died at 72.